Nancy Dodd sent us an e-mail — subject line “awesome nail tech” — a few months ago, singing the praises of S. Maria Chheo-Shen, who has influenced her life via YouTube tutorials and Facebook nail giveaways.

For some nail clients, there just seems to be no distance wide enough to keep them from getting a great nail service from their favorite tech. We asked our readers to tell us about some clients who regularly travel great lengths to come in for their nail fix.

What happens when two recent nail graduates interview a handful of veteran salon owners to find out the secrets to a long-lasting salon? They were privy to a host of knowledge from a combined 132 years of salon experience. Here they share it with you.

As a nail tech, salon owner, and consultant with Summit Salon Business Center, Jill Wilson often sees nail techs struggling with charging clients what they should for their time and services. She's ready to see nail techs take charge and charge what they're worth.

This time of year we often get to thinking about those things we’d like to be doing that we’re not doing. We asked our readers: Is there a business-related New Year’s resolution you find yourself making every year?

Whether to use in your treatments or sell on the shelves of your retail section, private-label products are a sure way to impress customers. Peruse our collection and find something you’d be proud to put your name on.

She’s been a whale watcher for over four years now. More properly known as a “marine mammal observer,” marine biologist and nail tech Megan McManus looks out for marine life on surface seismic ships and rigs in the Gulf of Mexico.

London was buzzing in September as the world’s top nail technicians traveled from all over the globe to compete in The Nailympics London, one of the nail industry’s most creative and hotly contested competitions.

Here Candice Everest, owner of Panache Nail Studio in Stanwood, Wash., explains her decision to institute a no tipping policy — a decision that proved popular with clients. Jesse Bruner, owner of Jesse David Nail Design in Wilmington, Del., counters respectfully with why it wouldn’t work for him.

Located in the tourist town of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., and nestled in an enclave of diverse shops, ranging from gourmet yogurt to a mini-golf course, is the aptly named Colour Bar & Spa. Even its website lives up to its colorful and engaging name — plus the spa pays attention to retail like few others!

At Posh’aah Nail Spa, guests are treated to pampering mani-pedis in a comfy-chic atmosphere. The owner — who quit her successful career as a mixed-use property manager in 2012 to embark on her lifelong dream of opening a nail salon — shares the story of making her dream a reality.

In 2000, when news broke about the potential dangers of whirlpool spas, many salon owners were horrified to hear of the sanitation shortcuts happening within the industry. Today, conscientious techs find creative ways to let every client know of their pledge to provide safe services — every time.

I have a few clients who swim or do water aerobics a few times a week. They have a lot of trouble with keeping polish on and their nails becoming dry. They peel and split. Is there anything I can do, or tell them to do, to help this problem? So far I have just told them to apply cuticle oil every night before bed to try to hydrate the nails.

There are a lot of heated opinions about the safety of nail polish. As nail techs, we care, of course, but is this a topic that’s foremost on the minds of clients? We asked readers: Do your clients ask about polish being “three-free”? Do they seem to care about the ingredients in their polish?

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